- Lyricist
- Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Dakshinamurthy
- Movie name
- Ulagam Sirikirathu
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 18 Feb 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic lullaby ('Thalattu') expresses the tender and deep love of a mother singing her young child to sleep. She uses sweet terms of endearment, describing the baby as nectar, precious fruit, honey, and a golden treasure. She poetically envisions the child and herself as blossoms on a vine and marvels at the joyful innocence of the child's babbling. As the night deepens and the rest of the world falls asleep, she affectionately wonders why her little one remains wide awake. She playfully asks if the baby is trying to catch the moon in the sky or if the child is filled with noble, lofty thoughts. The soothing rhythm and tender lyrics capture the timeless comfort of a mother's lullaby.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Amudhame en arumai kaniyae”
The lyricist directly compares the baby to sweet nectar ('Amudhame'), precious fruit ('arumai kaniyae'), and honey ('Madhura thaenae').
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Madiyil aadi mazhalai pesi magizhum / Madhura thaenae”
The second letters 'd' in 'Madiyil' and 'Madhura' create a pleasant rhythmic flow.
Unaimochai (Rhetorical Question & Personification)
“Urangidathathu yaeno / Uyarum ninaivu thaano”
The poet asks if the baby stays awake to reach the moon or because of high aspirations, poetically attributing deep thoughts to an infant.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song features iconic lyrics by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram and music composed by the veteran music maestro V. Dakshinamurthy. Sung beautifully by P. Susheela, it remains one of the most endearing lullabies in Tamil cinema history.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Ulagam Sirikirathu
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.